Bute public ‘not fully informed’ on council savings

Argyll and Bute Council's HQ at Kilmory in Lochgilphead. The authority carried out a public consultation on more than 140 savings options in November and December as it aims to save �9 million in 2015-16.

Craig Borland

The vast majority of people who replied to a Bute survey on Argyll and Bute Council’s Service Choices consultation said they weren’t given enough information to be fully informed.

Bute community councillor Paul Duffy, who carried out the local survey, said 88 per cent of those who took part felt they did not have enough information to give meaningful answers to the consultation questions.

Mr Duffy told Bute Community Council’s January meeting that 67 per cent of those who replied said they intended to take part in the consultation - which ran throughout November and December - or had already done so by the time they were asked.

“A picture emerged that people were eager to be part of the process,” he said, “but the process as it stood was not giving them the information they needed to provide meaningful answers.”

Mr Duffy’s own short survey ran from November 25 until December 18 and was answered by 63 people.